GPC has unveiled their new specialist vehicle training centre in Penrose this month. Uniquely positioned with both local and international insights, Genuine Parts Company (GPC), better known locally as Repco, Napa, SAS and Sulco, have invested in a solution to fill the immediate and long-term training gap bought about by rapidly changing technology.

With the explosion of the EV category in New Zealand, with 9 per cent of the national car parc now being Electric or Hybrid vehicles, workshops are about to see one in every ten cars on their hoists being EV or Hybrid. That provides a significant opportunity for the industry to grow with the changing car parc.

Jonathon Maddren, Executive General Manager GPC NZ, explains “GPC’s Training Centre is set up to provide a springboard to help workshops negotiate the vehicle technology changes they’re seeing in their workshops. GPC’s investment in the Future Technology Training Centre will support our workshop partners in developing their team’s skills for the new future of servicing and repairs.”

It’s not just electric vehicles driving these changes, it is also predicted that up to 50 per cent of the country’s fleet will have Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard features by 2030. These advanced systems introduce a new level of complexity to maintain their safety characteristics. For example, replacing the windscreen can impact distance perception, and so with windscreen replacements sensor recalibration will become an increasingly crucial step for trained technicians to maintain vehicle safety and function. Similarly, changes to wheel alignment may have potential consequences for lane assist function.

Maddren also explains “GPC sees its role as a supply partner who can source global and national knowledge to share with the New Zealand workshop owners and technicians. We want to help to ensure the information relating to future technology vehicle servicing and repairs is easily accessible for New Zealand workshops.“

Upskilling independent workshops has an additional benefit for the industry with drivers of EV and hybrid vehicles likely to appreciate workshops who have formal accreditations or training specific to their cars.

Aligning with New Zealand’s leading tertiary studies provider Unitec, GPC have not only created a state-of-the-art training location, but will collaborate and provide latest trends and practical insights to support Unitec’s curriculum - creating the ultimate Hybrid Solution. GPC training will be available for both current trade technicians bridging the knowledge gap in the short-term, and of course providing the practical know-how for the next generation.

Academic Programme Manager for Unitec Trades and Services Bryan Davis commented, “We are excited to be partnering with GPC & acknowledge their significant investment into the new Training centre to support the New Zealand Automotive industry. Moving forward GPC and Unitec Trades & Services, are working to leverage their academic programme development and delivery expertise, world-class facilities, and experienced industry staff to co-develop and co-deliver industry-relevant programmes”.    GPC launch their purpose-built 350 Sqm training facility this month, welcoming Australasia’s leading Air Conditioning Trainer Grant Hand with in-depth workshops covering Automotive, Earthmoving, and Agricultural Equipment Training.

They will offer a range of formats in this multipurpose space that cater for hands-on practical training for small groups, right through to a 150-person auditorium setting. Training will span all industry sectors from Mechanical, Auto Electrical, Air Conditioning, EV, Hybrid, ADAS and Commercial.

Continuing that customer centric approach, GPC have built the training centre alongside their new Technical Centre of Excellence – an expert call centre team of highly qualified technicians dedicated to sourcing EV, Hybrid and ADAS parts and products, and any other future tech advancements that come their way.

For more Trade details on training opportunities, contact your local NAPA, REPCO, SAS, or SULCO representative.